Circus toy



Aug 21,1928. I Y 1,681,304

' L-. MARX A CIRCUS TOY Filed Dec. 1, 1926 2 sums-Sheet 1 1,, ill! Anll INVENTOR LOUIS Marx 2 BY F A'FTORNEYS Aug. 21, 1928. 1,681,304

- L. MARX CIRCUS TOY Filed Dec. 1; 1926 2 sums-sum 2 INVENTOR Louis M ATTORNEYS Patented Aug. 21, 1928.

0min] STATES H 1,681,304 PATENT orriciz.

LOUIS MARX, or BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

cmcus TOY.

Application filed December 1, 1926. Serial No.. 151,926.

" the present invention reside in the provision of a circus simulating toy in which a plurality of toy figures representing circus performers are operated in succession by motor means for producing circus performing actions characteristic of such figures; the further provision of a circus toy of this character in which the.

performing figures are arranged circumferentiallv on a platform support to be successivelv. set in action by a motor means cyclically movable into cooperation with said performing figures in succession; the still further provision of a circus toy of this character in which the circumferentially arranged performing figures ormanikins are normally disconnected from the motor means,the said figures and manikins being constructed and mounted to be movableindependently of each other and independently of said motor means and mounted to assume normal positions and to return to such normal positions after being actuated by the motor means.

A further principal object of my present invention centers about the provision of a circus simulating toy in which the motor means for operating the circus performing figures in succession is concealed byrthe platform support on which the circus figures are mounted, the performing figures beingprovided with operating. elements protruding through the platform and arranged to be engaged by the motor means, whereby the performing figures are setiinto activity by concealed mechanism to impart to the toy a behaviour which has aitendency to arouse or excite thecuriosityof the child. i

A correlated and important object of the invention further eomprises the provision of a circus toy of thecharacter referred to in which the operating parts are reduced to a minimum, the manikins or performing figures being so inter-related as to permit operation thereof with relatively simple motor mechanism, the parts of the toy. assembly 9- being so associated and combined as to minimize any likelihood of derangement of the parts and to permit facile adjustment and repair by the child, the simplicity of organization further permitting the manufacture of the toy at comparatively low cost.

A still further prime desideratum of the invent-ion relates to the provision of improved operating manikins all adapted to assume a normal position and to automatically return to such normal position after being actuated, said manikins being constructcd to be readily actuated into fantastic or characteristic positions by being engaged by the motor mechanism of the toy.

To theaccomplishment of the foregoing and such other objects as may hereinafter appear, the invention consists in the elements and their relation one with respect to the other as hereinafter more particularly described and sought to be defined in the claims;

reference being had to the accompanying drawings which show preferred embodiments of my invention, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the improve circus simulating toy of my present invention, i Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view with parts broken away of one of the circus performing figures of the toy,

Fig. 3 is a similar enlarged fragmentary view of another of the performing figures of the toy,

Figs. 4 and 5 are similar enlarged fragmentary views of other parts of the circus toy showing other performing figures thereon, and

Figs. 6 and 7 are fragmentary views showing modifications of the performingfigures shown in Figs. 3 and 2 respectively. T

Referring now more in detail to the drawings, the improved circus toy embodying my present invention in its preferred form comprises a platform or stage P on which are mounted a plurality of movable figures or manikins representing in appearance and adapted to simulate in action aplurality of circus performers, said circus performing fig ure generally designated as F, F F F, and F being arranged circumferentially on the platform P about a preferably centrally located motor mechanism generally desigllo nated as M, the operation of the motor mechanism M being adapted to set into actuation in SHBECGSSlOII the circus performing figures The platform support P preferably comprises an inverted dish-shaped member which may be made of sheet metal, said member including a platform portion 10 and an encircling skirt portion 11 which elevatingly supports the platform portion 10, the said dishshaped member defining a casing which contains and conceals the operating members of the toy.

The motor means M may comprise any conventional spring motor mechanism housed by a motor casing 12 mounted on the platform 10, the said motor mechanism being provided with the usual motor winding key 13 and including a driven shaft 14 to which is connected an operating member 15 movable below the platform 10 into cyclic cooperation with the performing figures to set the same into actuation, as will be described hereinafter.

As heretofore mentioned, each of the performing figures F--F is normally disconnected from the rotating operating element 15 so as to be capable, among other things, of independent movement, and each of said figures is constructed to assume a normal position and to return to such normal position after being actuated into an operating position by the motor operating element 15. With this construction the figures may be manually manipulated by the child independently of one another and independently of the motor means, and simple motor mechanism may moreover be employed for operating all of the figures, which mechanism is subject to little derangement or breakage in use, an important desideratum in multi-figure operated mechanical toys.

The circus performing figures will now be described in the order mentioned.

The figure F comprises a simulated animal which in the construction exemplified in the drawings is shown in the form of a giraffe having a body portion 17 and movable head and tail members 18 and 19 respectively, the head member 18 being reciprocable in the body 17 and the tail member 19 being pivotally movable on the body member 17 about the fulcrum 20. For operating the movable head and tail members, there is provided a reciprocable operating element 21 the upper end of which is attached to the head 18 and the lower end 21' of which protrudes through an orifice in the platform 10 so as to be engaged by an arm 22 pivotally attached as at 23 to the platform 10. The operating ele ment 21 is provided with a pin 24 at an intermediate portion thereof, which pin engages a lever 25 fulcrumed as at 26 on the body member 17 of the simulated animal. the arm 27 of said lever 25 being arranged to engage the tail member 19 to oscillate the same about its pivot 20. With this construction, it will be apparent that all of the parts normally assume the position as shown in full lines in Fig. 1 of the drawings, and that when the motor operating member 15 moves into engage ment with the pivoted arm 22 as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, the head and tail members 18 and 19 of the simulated animal will move into the positions shown in full lines in Fig. 2 and in dotted lines in Fig. 1. It will be further apparent that as the operating member 15 passes the operating elements for the figure, the parts will return by gravity to the normal full-line position shown in Fig. 1.

Referring now to Fig. 7 of the drawings, 1 show a modified form of animal figure, wherein the body member is movable simultaneously with the movementof the head and tail members ofthe figure. To accomplish this, I provide operating elements similar to that shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings and designated by correspondingly primed reference characters, with the exception that the body 17, instead of being stationarily mounted on the platform 10, is swireliy mounted on the hind legs about a fulcrum 28. With this construction the parts normally assume the full-line position shown in Fig. 7 and are operated to the dotted-line position shown in said figure when the operating member 15 is moved into engagementwith the pivoted arm 22, the body 17 of the animal being moved about the swivel joint 28 and the head and tail members 18' and 19 being operated in a manner similar to that heretofore described with Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings. In both forms of the invention the animal-figure may be separately manipulated by the child without driving the motor mechanism Preferably all of the parts of the animal are made of sheet metal.

The circus figure F comprises a simulated tight-rope-walker movable between the full and dotted linepositions shown in Figs. 1 and 3 of the drawings. the said figure comprising a body member 29 preferably made of sheetmetal fixed to a tubular mount 30, said mount 30being reciprocably movable on a simulated tight rope 31 which preterably is in the form of a U-shaped member fixed to the platform 10 provided with an inclined horizontal rod section 31. For moving the figure 29, the tubular mount 30 is provided with an operating. element 32 e:-:- tending downwardly through an arcuate slot 33 in said platform. the lower end of the operating element 32 being arranged to be engaged by the motor operating member 15 as clearly shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings. With thisconstruction it will be seen that cyclic movement of the motor operating member 15 into engagement with the figure operating element 32 will cyclically cause the Ill) figure F to move in representation of a tightrope-walking action from the full-line position to the dottedJine position. It will be further seen that after the motor operating member 15 disengages theoperating element 32, the figure F 2 will be returned to its normal full-line position by gravity assisted by a spring 34 which encircles the rod portion 31 of the support, and which spring acts on the tubular mount when placed under tension. The figure F may be provided with pivoted arms 35 to which may be attached a simulated balancing rod 36.

In Fig. 6 I show a modified form of tightrope-walking figure, in which the assisting spring is eliminated, the return of the figure being produced by gravitational action alone, To this end the legs of the figure F 2 are provided with rollers or sheaves 37, 37 which ride on the inclined rod portion 31' of the figure support. The remaining parts of the construction are similar to that shown in Figs; 1 and 3 of the drawings, and are designated by similar primed reference characters.

The performing figure F comprises a simulated jack-in-the-box and includes a casing section 38 representing a box and a movable jack figure 39 pivoted as at 40 on the walls of the box and movablebetween the full and dotted linepositions shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. For operating the figure, the same is provided with the downwardly protruding operating element 41 arranged to be engaged by the motor operating member 15, as clearly shown in Fig. 40f the drawings. The jack figure is weighted so as to normallyassumethe full-lineposition shown in Figs. 1 and 4 of the-drawings and to return to such position afterbeing actuated and released by the. motor operating member 15. The parts'ofthe jack-in-the-box figure are allprefer'ably'made of sheet metal cut and shaped to the desired configuration.

The circus performers F comprise a pair of figures movable to simulate a blow-striking action, one of said figures generally designated as '42 being operable to produce a blowstriking action and the other of said figures generally designated as 43 being movable by the figure 42 to represent a blow-receiving responsive action. Both of the performing figures are preferably made of sheet metal; the figure 42 comprising a sheet metal body section 44 having a lmovable'arm 45 connected by means" of a link 46 to a movable leg 47, an operating element 48 being connected to said leg and protruding through the platform 10 to be engaged by a'pivoted arm 49, Which is o erated by the motor operating member 15.

he figure arm 45 is preferably provided with the club or like device 50.

The cooperating figure 43 is arranged adjacent the figure 42 tobe characteristically struck thereby, the said figure 43 being designed to move in' response to the blows re- 53 on the lower body portion, the upper body portion being provided with a protruding coat-tail 54 which is-inthe line of movement of the leg member 47 of the figure 42 so that when the leg 47 is kicked upwardly, the coattail portion will be engaged by the impact and will impart to the upper body portionof the figure 43 an action responsive to the simulated kick. At the same time the club will be moved relatively to the head of the figure 43 to simulate a clubbing action. After an operation is produced, the parts of both figures return to the normal positions, the parts of the figure 42 being returned by gravity and the upper body portion 52 of thefigure 43 being returned by a spring 55 connected at its opposite ends to the stationary and movable body portions 51and 52. The nor-, mal positions of said figures are shown in full lines in Figs. 1 and 4 of the drawings, andthe positions assumed by said figures when operated by the motor means areshown indotted lines in Fig. 1 of the drawings. The figure 43 may, if desired, be provided with jointed arms 56 carrying a ring-shaped element. 57.

The performing figures F are designed to represent an acrobatic stunt and comprise a manikin generally designated as 58 supported on the platformlO, said manikin operatingly carrying a smaller manikin generally designated as 59. The manikin 58 com- In.

prises a stationary lower body section 60 and an upper section 61 pivoted on the lower body section about the fulcrum 62, a spring 63 anchored at its opposite ends to the stationary and movable body sections being provided. for holding the upper movable body section 61 inthe erect or normal position shown in full lines inFigs. 1 and 5 of the drawings. The upper body section 61 of the manikin 58 is provided with a pair of, preferably rigid and spaced arms 64 to which are rigidly attached the pair of spaced arms 65. of the smaller manikin 59. The n1anikin59 comprises a body section 66 made of sheet metal fulcrumed as at 67 on the arms 65 so that the body is pivotally movable between the spaced supporting arms 65, the said body- 66 being further provided with the indepencL ently movable jointed leg portions 68 fulcrumed on the body as at 69. v a

For operating the acrobatic manikins, the movable body section 61 of the larger manikin 58 is provided with an operating element 7 O, the lower end of which protrudes through an, opening in the platform 10 to be engaged by the motor operating memberl5. Viththis construction it will now be apparent that when the motor operating member 15 engages the figure operating element 70, the trunk or upper body section 61 of the manikin figure 58 will move substantially about its waistline and such movement will impart to the smaller manikin 59 a variety of fantastic and mirth-provoking operations. One of the positions that is assumed by the manikins during such operation is shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1 of thedrawings. It will be further apparent that when the motor operating member 15 disengages the element 70, the figures will be returned to the normal or fullline position shown in Figs. 1 and 5 of the drawings.

The use and operation of my improved circus toy and the many advantages thereof for purposes of amusement and play will in the main be fully apparent from the above detailed description thereof. It will be further apparent that I have provided a relatively simple and interesting organization of parts operated by a motor mechanism of simple design, the parts including the performing figures being associated so as to be capable of rendering an amusing perforn'iance in natural characterization of a circus. It will be further seen that the parts are interrelated to permit a single motor mechanism for operating all of the figures. the assembly or circus ensemble being capable of being manufactured economically and being capable of being used by the child with minimum liability of breakage or derangement.

It will be further apparent that while I have shown and described my invention in its preferred forms, that many changes and modifications may be made in the structure disclosed without departing from the spirit of the invention, defined in the following claims.

I claim:

1. A toy of the character described comprising a platform, a plurality of independently movable figures representing circus performers arranged on said platform, said figures being provided with operating means protruding through said platform. and a motor means unconnected to said performing figures. whereby said figures are movable independently of each other, said motor means including an operating member arranged below said platform and movable cyclically into cooperation with the said operating means of the performing figures when the motor means is operated to impart action to such figures in succession.

2. A toy of the character described comprising, a platform, a plurality of independently movablefigures representing circus performers circumferentially arranged on said platform, said figures being provided with operating means protruding through said platform, and a motor means unconnected to said performing figures, whereby said figures are movable independently of each other, said motor means including an operating member arranged below said platform and movable cyclically into cooperation with the said opcrating means of the performing figures when the motor means is operated to impart action to such figures in succession.

3. A toy of the character described comprising a platform, a plurality of independently movable figures representing circus performers arranged on said platform, said ligures being provided with operating means protruding through said platform, and a motor means unconnected-to said performing figures. whereby said figures are movable independently of each other, said motor means including an operating member arranged below said platform and movable cyclically into cooperation with the said operating means of the performing figures when the motor means is operated to impart action to such figures in succession, certain of said movable figures being constructed to assumea normal position and to return to such normal position after being operated by said motor means.

4. In a circus toy, a platform, a figure simulating a tight-ropewallter movably mounted on said platform. a motor means unconnected to said fisrure whereby the figure is movable independently of said motor, said motor means being provided with an operating member movable into cooperation with said figure to impart a tight-rope-walking action to the latter, and means for causing said fig ure to assume a'normalposition and to return to such normal position after being actuated by said operating member.

5. In a circus toy, a platform. a figure simulating a tight-rope-walkcr movably mounted on said platform. an operating element connected to said figure and protruding through said platform, a motor means unconnected to said figure whereby the figure is movable independently of said motor. said motor means being provided with an operating member movable intocooperation with the operating element of said figure to impart a tight-rope-walking action to the latter. and means for causing said figure to assume a normal position and to return to such normal position after being actuated by said operating member.

6. In a circus toy, a platform, a simulated animal figure mounted on said platform and having a body and head and tail members movable relatively to the body. a motor means unconnected to the animal figure whereby the head and tail members of thefigure are movable independently of said motor, said motor means being provided with an operating member movable into cooperation with said figure to move the members thereof, the movable mcmbers of said figure being mounted to assume a normal position and to return to such normal position after being actuated by said operating member.

7. In a circus toy, a platform, a simulated animal figure mounted on said platform and having relatively a body and head and tail members movable relatively to the body, an operating element connected to the said head and tail members of said figure and protruding through said platform and a motor ele-v ment movable into engagement with the protruding end of said operating element for actuating the said members of the animal figure; the said members being mounted to return to a normal position after being actuated.

8. In a circus toy, a platform support, a pair of simulated figures on said support one of said figures having a leg and arm movable to simulate a blow-striking action, the othef of said figures being movable as a result of impact with the leg of the first figure in simulation of a blow receiving responsive action, an operating element connected to said first member and protruding through said platform support, and means movable below the platform in engagement with said operating element to actuate said figures, the said figures being mounted to assume a normal position and to return to such normal position after being actuated.

9. In a circus toy, a platform support, a pair of acrobatic manikins thereon, one of the manikins comprising relatively movable body portions and the other of said ma-nikins also comprising relatively movable body portions, the second manikin being supportingly carried by the first, a motor element movable to actuate the first manikin whereby both manikins are set into acrobatic motion, the said manikins being normally disconnected from said motor element and movable independently thereof.

10. In a circus toy, a platform support, a pair of acrobatic manikins thereon, one of the manikins comprising relatively movable body portions and the other of said manikins also comprising relatively movable body portions, the second manikin being supportingly carried by the first, the first manikin including an operating element protruding through said platform, a motor element movable to actuate the said operating element whereby both manikins are set into acrobatic motion, the said manikins being normally disconnected from said motor elementand being movable independently thereof.

11. In a circus toy, a platform support, a pair of acrobatic manikins thereon, one of the manikins comprising a lower stationary body portion and a pivoted upper trunk portion and the other of said manikins comprising relatively movable body portions, the second manikin being supportingly carried by the first, a motor element movable to actuate the first inanikin whereby both manikins are set into acrobatic motion, the said manikins being normally disconnected from said motor element and movable independently thereof.

12. In a circus toy, a platform support, a pair of simulated figures on said support, one of said figures having a leg and arm movable to simulate a blow striking action,the other of said figures being movable asa result of impact with the leg of the first figure in simulation of a blow receiving responsive action, and means to operate the first figure, the said figures being constructed to assume a normal position and to return to such normal position after being actuated.

Signed at New York city, in the county of New York and State of New York, this 29th day of November, A. D. 1926.

LOUIS MARX. 

